Steam or gas engine.



'PATENTEDMAR. l, 1 904.

O. B. THORSON. 'STEAM 0R GAS ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 26; 1.903.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES.'

A TTOHNE 7S.

-PATENTED MAR. 1, 1904.

0. B.'THORSON.

STEAM 0R GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2e. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MBEL.

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` 1.9.1. 'rus Naam: arcas co. nomuwo Msnmow UNITED STATES Patented Maren 1, 1904i" OLIOUS B. THORSON, OF NEAR THOR, IOWA.

STEAM OR GAS ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 753,647, dated March 1, 1 904.-A

Application led January 26, 1903. Serial No. 140,553. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIoUs B. THoRsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing near Thor, in the county of Humboldt and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Steam or Gas Engine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to engines which can be readily changed from a steam-engine to an explosive-engine, or vice versa.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved engine arranged to permit the use of either steam or an explosive mixture as the motive agent or steam at one end of the cylinder and an explosive mixture at the other end, at the same time `allowing the engineer to reverse the engine whenever it is desired to do so.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the eccentrics. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of the improvement on the line 4 4 of Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the same on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged end view of the reversing link-gear, and Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the parts adjustedA for operating the exhaust-valves when but one motive agent is employed.

In the cylinder A is mounted a reciprocating piston B, connected by its piston-rod Bl With a cross-head C, connected by a pitman D with a crank-disk E, secured on the main driving-shaft F of the engine. rlhe ends of the cylinder A are connected by ports a and .b with a motive-agent-admission chest connected at its middle bya pipe Hwith a boiler or other suitable steam-supply, the said pipe H containing a governor-valve H and a hand- Valve H2 under the control of the operator.

In the chest G is mounted to slide apistonvalve I, adapted to close the entrance end of the pipe H or to connect the latter with the chest G at either side of the piston-valve, so as to direct the steam either alternately tothe ports a and or to one of the said portspas hereinafter more fully explained. l

Spring pressed selfclosing admissionvalves J andy J control the connection between an explosive-mixture chamber J2 andy the chest Gr on opposite sides of the pistoning into the chamber J2, and from the latter' by way of the valves J and J or either of the said valves into the chest G to iinally pass into the corresponding end of the cylinder A by way of the ports a and Z2. A valve K controls the inlet of the pipe J 3 to the chamber 'J2't`o f regulate the amount of explosive mixture passing into the chamber J2, and this valve K has its stem K connected by a link K2 with a lever K3, engaging the stem of a governor H3,

controlling the governor-valve H', previouslyv mentioned. Thus the admission of the steam and that of the explosive mixture is controlled from the single governor H2.

The chest Gr has its ends connected with each other by a by-pass L, (seeFig. 4,) opening into a heated igniting-tube L', so as to ignite the explosive mixture in either end of the chest G and the corresponding end of the cylinder, as hereinafter more fully explained, thesaid tube L extending in a pipe L2 in which burnsa flame to heat the tube L, the gas for the ame being supplied by a pipe L2. (See Figs.

4 and 6.) Valves L4 and L5 are' arranged in the by-pass on opposite sides of the ignitingtube L', so that either end of the by-pass can be closed in case the engine is arranged for using steam on one side of the cylinder and an explosive mixture at the other side ofthe cylinder. As shown in Fig. 4, the valve L4 IOO is closed while the valve L5 is open, so that the gaseous mixture in the right-hand side of the chest Gr can pass to the igniting-tube L' to be ignited and to cause ignition of the charge in the right-hand end of the cylinder A. In the case mentioned steam is used as the motive agent' inthe left-hand end of the said cylinder. The ends of the cylinder Aare also connected by ports c and d with exhaustchambers N and N', containing valves N2 and N3 for connecting the chambers N and N' with a common exhaust-pipe M for carrying off the exhaust-steam and exhaust-gases.

The valve-stem I' of the piston-valveI carries at its outer` end springs I2 and I3, engaging opposite sides of a lever O, fulcrumed on a bracket O', attached to theinner cylinderhead, as shown in Fig. l, and the said lever O is pivotally connected by a link O2 with a bar O3, mounted to slide in a suitable bearing O4, attached to the engine-frame. The bar O3 is connected with the block P of a link P', fulcrumed on a rod Q, hung on a bell-crank lever Q', connected by a link Q2 with a reversinglever Q3, carrying a suitable locking-lever Q4, engaging a notched segment Q5, as indicated in Fig. l. The link P' is connected at opposite sides of its fulcrum with the eccentricrods R2 and R3 of eccentrics R and R', held on4 the main shaft F, so that when the engine is in motion the rotary motion of the shaft F stem I and with it the valve I forward and f backward to control the admission of steam into the chest G from the pipe H, as previously mentioned. The lower end of the lever O is connected by a link S with a lever S', fulcrumed on the cylinder and adapted to engage the stem N4 of the valve N2 to move the valve N off its seat at the time the engine works with steam-pressure at the left-hand end and not with an explosive mixture. The stem N4 of the valve N2 is pressed on by a spring N5 to normally hold the valve N2 in a closed position, and a similar spring N6 presses on the stern N7 of the valve N3 to normally hold the latter closed. The stem N', just mentioned, is connected by a link T with a bar T' similar to the bar O3 and likewise mounted to slide longitudinally in a bearing T2, and this bar T' is connected with the block U of a link U', fulcrumed on the bar Q previously mentioned. The link U' is connected on opposite sides of its fulcrum with the eccentric-rods V,2 and V3 ofv eccentrics V and V', secured on a shaft V4, connected by a gear-wheel V5 with a pinion V, fastened on the main shaft F, so that when the latter makes two revolutions the shaft V4 is caused to make one revolution, owing to the size of the pinion VG and gear-Wheel V5. Now from the foregoing it will be seen that the valve N2 is opened once at every revolution of the shaft F to exhaust the left-hand end of the cylinder of exhaust-steam, while the valve N3 is opened but once during two revolutions of the shaft F, so that the righthand end of the cylinder remains closed to the exhaust M during the suction and compression period and is only connected to the exhaust pipe M by way of the valve N3 at the end of the explosion period.

The stems J 5 of the valves J and J' are pressed on by springs J 6 to normally hold the valves J and J' in a closed position; but the valves open against the tension of their springs during the suction period, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The operation is as follows: When the several parts are in the position illustrated in the drawings,then the engine is arranged for using steam at the left -hand end of the cylinder A and for using an explosive mixture as the motive agent at the right-hand end of the cylinder. The piston B is now on the return stroke in the direction of the arrow a', caused by the ignited mixture of gas and air in the righthand end of the cylinder, the exhaust-steam in the left-hand end of the cylinder A now passing through the port c, exhaust-chamber N, and open valve N2 into the exhaust-pipe M, while the piston-valve I is in a closed positionthat is, closing the inlet of the steamsupply pipe H to the chest Gr. The valve N2 is held open by the action of the lever S'; but as soon as the piston B has reached the end of its outward stroke-then the action of the eccentrics R and B' on the link P' causes a swinging of the lever O, so that the position of the valve I is changed-that is, moved to the right-to allow steam to pass through the pipe H into the left-hand end of the chest Gr, so that the steam can pass through the port a, into the left-hand end of the cylinderA to move the piston B on the inward stroke in the inverse direction of the arrow a'. The swinging motion of the lever O just mentioned causes the lever S' to swing out of engagement with the stem N4 to allow the spring N5 to move the valve N2 to its seat, so that the IOO left-hand end of the cylinder is closed to the exhaust during the inward stroke of the piston B. Now while the piston B moves forward the other valve N3 is moved into an open position by the action of the eccentricsV and V', link Q', bar T', and link T, so that the exhaust-gases can pass out of the right-hand end of the cylinder into the exhaust -pipe M. When the piston B moves on its second outward stroke in the direction of the arrow a', then the suction period takes place in the right-hand end of the cylinder A-that is, theV explosive mixture is drawn from the rchamber .I2 by way of the valveJ' and into the right-hand end of the chest Gr through the port Z into the right-hand end of the cylinder A-and on the next inward stroke of the piston B in the inverse direction of the arrow ct' Athemixtureinthe right-hand end ofthe cylinder A is compressed and finally ignited, whenthe pistonhas reached the end`of its in- Yward stroke,.so that the piston is now forced -outward by theexplosion, and when the piston reaches the end of its outward stroke the valve N3 opens to allow the exhaust-gases-to Aescape from the cylinder, as before mentioned. It `is understood that steam is admitted to .l I-O the left-handend ofthe cylinder A for every inward stroke of the piston B, while the pis- -ton is forced outward by the force of the explosion every second stroke ofthe piston. The link S is-made in telescoping sections y I5 --adapted to be fasten ed together by a set-screw JSZ, as plainly shown in-Fig. 1. Bythis .ar- -rangement the link S can be `lengthened to bring' the lever Sl in a. central position relative tothe stems N4 and N7 to actuate the stems Y alternately to vopen the valves N2 and N3 alternatelywhen the steam -is used as motive agent vin bothends ofthe cylinder A. The link T --is then not. used and is .disconnected from the stem N7.: When an explosive mixture is to be used as motive agent in both ends of the cylinder A, then the link T is disconnected from theslide-bar. T., the set-screw S2. is loosened, and the link S disconnected from the lever O and connected with thesaid slide-bar T, after iwhich the vlever S' is set into a central posivtion -relative to the valve-stems N4 N7, and -thenthe set-screw S2 is screwed up to fasten vthe telescoping sections of the link S together. .-Both valves N2 and N3 are now opened at the proper time. l Y

'- VWhen it is desired to use the engine as a steam-engine only, the hand-lever Q3 is moved in such a position that the lever O imparts a sliding motion to the valve I to connect the inlet-pipe H alternately with the right and left hand ends of the chest Gr to alternately admit steam to both ends of the cylinder A. It is understood that in this case the valves J and and J do not open, as the pressure of the steam in both ends of the chest G holds the said valves in a closed position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An engine, comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, a motive-agent chest connected with the ends of the cylinder, a steam-supply connected with the chest, a valve in the chest for controlling the admission of steam to either end thereof, said valve also serving to divide the chest into two compartments, an explosive-mixture supply connected with the chest at opposite sides of the valve, and valves for controlling the admission of the explosive mixture to said chest, as set forth. 2. An engine comprisinga cylinder, apiston reciprocating therein, a motive-agent-admission chest connected with the ends of the cylinder, a steam supply connected with the chest, a piston-valve in the chest, controlling the admission of the steam from the said steamto the chest from the said explosive-mixture supply, anA explosive-mixture supply connecte'd with the chest, at opposite sides of the said piston-valve, and self-closing admission-valves controlling the inlet of the .explosive mixture 7 O supply, as set forth.

3;. An engine comprisinga cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, a Amotive-agent-admission chest 'connected with the ends of the cylinder, a steam-supply connected with the chest, a piston-Valve in the chest, controlling .the admission of the steam from the said steamsupply, an explosive-mixture supply connected with the chest, at opposite sides of the said piston valve, selfclosing admissionvalves 8O controlling the inlet of the explosive mixture to the chest froml the said explosive-mixture suppl y, and positively-actuated exhaust-valves for the said cylinder, as set forth.

4. An engine comprising a cylinder, a piston `reciprocating therein, a main shaft connected cylinder, means actuated from the said main shaft, for controlling the said piston-valve, and means actuated from the main shaft, for controlling the said exhaust-valves, as set forth.

5.v An engine comprisinga cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, a main shaft connected with and driven from the said piston, a motiveagent-admission chest connected with theends of the cylinder, a steam-supply connected with the chest, a piston-valve in the chest, controlling the admission of the'steam by the said steam-supply, an explosive-mixture supply connected with the -chest at opposite sides of the said piston-valve, self-closing admissionvalves controlling the inlet of the explosive mixture to the chest from the said explosivemixture supply, exhaust-valves for the said cylinder, and two link-gears driven from the main shaft, one controlling the said pistonvalve and one of the exhaust-valves, while the other link-gear actuates the remaining exhaust-valve, as set forth.

6. An engine comprisingacylinder, apiston reciprocating therein. a main shaft connected with and driven from the said piston, a motiveagent-admission chest connected with the ends of the cylinder, a steam-supply connected with the chest,y a piston-valve in the chest, controlling the admission of the steam by the said steam-supply, an explosive-,mixture supply connected with the chest at opposite sides of the said piston-valve, self-closing admission- Valves controlling the inlet of the explosive 130 -roo IIO

IIS

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mixture to the chest from the said explosivemixture supply, exhaust-valves for the said cylinder, and reversing link-gears, driven at a different rate of speed from the said main shaft, the high-speed gear controlling the piston-valve and one of the exhaust-valves and the low-speed gear actuating the other exhaust-valve, as set forth. f

7. An engine comprisingacylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, a motive-agent-admission chest connected With the ends of the cylinder,a steam-supply connected With the chest, a piston-valve in the chest, controlling the admission of the steam from the said steamsupply, an explosive-mixture supply connected with the chest, at opposite sides of the said piston -Valve, selfclosing. admission valves controlling the inlet of the explosive mixture to the chest from the said explosive-mixture supply, and an igniting device, connected with the said chest, at opposite sides of the pistonvalve therein, as set forth.

8. An engine comprising a cylinder, a pis- Aton reciprocating therein, a motive-agent-admission chest connected With the ends of the cylinder, a steam-supply connected with the chest, a piston-valve in thechest, controlling the admission of the steam from the said mixture supply, a valved by-pass connected with the chest at opposite sides of the said piston-valve, and an igniting device in the said ley-pass, to allow the explosive mixture to reach the igniter from either side of the piston-valve, as set forth.

9. An engine comprising a cylinder, a'piston reciprocating therein, a motiVe-,agent-admission chest connected With the ends of the cylinder, a steam-supplyconnected with the chest, a piston-valve in the chest, controlling A the admission of the steam from the said steam-supply, an explosive-mixture supply connected with the chest, at opposite sides of the said piston-valve, self-closing admissionvalves controlling the inlet of the explosive mixture to the chest from the said explosivemixture supply, and a governor for the steamsupply and the said explosive-mixture supply, as set forth.

10. An engine comprising acylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, a main shaft connected With and driven from the said piston, a motive-agent-admission chest connected with the ends of the cylinder, a steam-supply connected With the chest, a .piston-valve in the chest, controlling the admission of the steam from the said steam-supply, an explosive- `mixture supply connected With the chest at opposite sides of the said piston-valve, selfclosing admission-valves controlling the inlet of the explosive mixture to the chest from the said explosive-mixture supply, exhaustvalves for the said cylinder, reversing linkgears, driven at a dilferent rate of speed from the said main shaft, the high-speed gear controlling the piston-valve and one of the exhaust-valves and the low-speed gear actuating the other exhaust-valve, `and a lever, under the control of the operator, for shifting and setting the link-gears, as set forth.

l1. An engine, comprisingacylinder, apiston therein, a motive-agent chest connected With the ends of the cylinder, asteam-supply connected with the chest, means for controlling the admission of steam to either end of the chest, said means also serving to divide the chest into compartments, and a valve-cong oLioUs B. THoRsoN.

Witnesses: l

C. J. LUND,

JNO. J. HANsoN. 

